One proof how completely people make holiday at this time of the year, is the absence of any topic claiming sp: discussion. Politics are put aside, and every one agrees that our Municipal arrangements are perfect. The tea and silk is all bought, and shirtings are tiresome from their saperabondance. Occurring coincidently with the Chinese holiday of the winter solstice, Christmas week may be said to be withdrawn from the ordinary business of life. After the feverish excitement of summer in China, during which the staple educts of foreign trade are hurried into market, the comparative calm of Christmas is doubly welcome. It is not as though it were a forced holiday, but is one that comes naturally fullowing on the course of events. It is probably this feeling that adds zest to the winter trip through: the country. It is not altogether the rising of the birds, as we pass gun in haud through the dried reeds and grass; it is not the rugged outline of the hilltop nor the dark gloom of the coverts wherein lurks the wild pig. It is not even the unfamiliar sound of gurgling rivalers, nor the sparkling of clear running brooks, nor yet the fresh and bracing atmosphere. Beyond all this, it is the feeling of enjoyment which a task completed superadds to the other pleasures of the country. The ability to cast off all cares of business, and the satisfaction that absence will not be attended by personal or pecuniary loss, is the real reason why Christmas festivities at Shanghai can be enjoyed with so true a thoroughness. We miss most of the asso-dations which at home render the season gratefal, but in their place we substitute others of a different nature. Who, in England, would think of renouncing the Christmas party, the merry dance, the mistletoe bough, and all the other time-hono¥ed' customs of the land, for the narrow cabin of a houseboat; yet this is perhaps the traditional form of celebrating the festival in Shar and this strange style of substitution follows through most of oar other enjoyments. Men who, at home, have never willingly wandered five from their ry track, become discontented in Shanghai if they do not get their week or ten days up country. Yet grave may be the highest rise they will see, and some clamp of trees larger than usual the most diversified piece of scenery. The may not even make a bag, and yet will come back happy and contented. Some we have known, indeed, who bind themselves in solemn compact to renounce the luxuries of soap and firearms, to whom, it wasramoured, toothbrushes were a forbidden delicacy; yet we believe they wanted neither in the essential of cleanliness or sportsmanlike feeling, but only sought by a semi-retarn to sat to better appreciate the amenities of civilisation, Others, on the contrary, have endea-youred with but partial success to carry with them the surronn of modern culture. We have bea one being detected, dressed as for romeuade, with tall hat and gloves, bing for small fish in, the centre ofalake. Others, again, conceive that the chief enjoyment of a country trip is to lie at full length on the boat cushions, and languidly consult the boy 1 or the lowdah as to the pi passed while a different class, stick in hand, rash headlong'past villages and along country paths as if in the expectation that each successive turn would laud them in ay earthly paradise. Whatever the process, as all appear to return satisfied, it is not for us to rudely take the gilt off the gingerbread. Unfortunately we cannot, ourselves, shut up and disappear; bat we may by proxy, to certain extent, enter into our friends' enjoyments, If they would chronicle their experiences, they could giv finite amusement to the few who, like ourselves, are chained to the office daring the festal fortnight; but they are too intent on relaxation even to clu that. They might enable us to come out brimful. of news of up-country incident and sport. But even this resource fails; and we can only put on a bold face, and do the best the dull season will permit.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.